WesWorld

7 January 1932

In light of the unexpectedly poor performance of British-designed aircraft at the Talons over Cordoba Fighter Competition, the Air Ministry has instituted an emergency program to bring the Royal Air Force fighter force up to modern standards. As and interim measure, the Gloster Gauntlet is to be ordered, as the most modern fighter for which design work has been carried out.

In the longer term, a specification has been issued for an advanced monoplane fighter, to be in service by 1935. The aircraft will be armed with six machine guns, have a maximum speed in level flight exceeding 300 miles per hour, yet have an empty weight of less than five thousand pounds. Detailed tender documents have been issued to eight companies.

15 January 1932

In response to Indian consideration of withdrawal from the Cleito Treaty, the Foreign Office has issued a statement:

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“It is our sincerest hope that India will maintain membership of the group of nations bound by the Cleito Treaty. The capacity for arms development, unrestricted, to plunge the world into disarray has been amply shown in history by the events of the Great War.

“This does not mean, however, that the United Kingdom wishes India to be powerless to protect itself; quite the opposite. A large, powerful nation with significant interests overseas, such as India doubtlessly is, can certainly afford to construct and maintain a more sizable fleet than that currently permitted by the Treaty.

“If, as the Indians argue – and we have little reason to disbelieve them – a larger fleet, of the same order of size as that permitted the French, is required to protect their interests, then the United Kingdom sees little benefit in prohibiting the Indians from attaining that requirement. In consequence, His Majesty’s Government is willing to consider a convention of the signatory powers of the Cleito Treaty in London, or another venue, to discuss this issue.”

18 January 1932

The Suez Canal Company, in conjunction with the British East Asia Company and the Royal Navy, has advised shipping from east of 50° to expect delays when transiting the Bab el Mandeb and the Suez Canal.

Shipping originating between 50° and 80° East is to report to either Mogadishu or Gulf of Djibouti for quarantine of at least 1 week. Shipping from East of 80° is expected to report to one of the ships of the multinational force in the region where manifests and the condition of the crew will be checked by Ethiopian, French, Italian, Indian and Commonwealth warships.

Additionally, all vessels wishing to transit the Suez Canal will be required to produce either a certificate of quarantine or papers demonstrating that their voyage originated west of 50° East. Royal Navy vessels in the Red Sea will be subjecting British-flagged vessels to random search, and merchant shipping of other nations is requested to comply with these patrols on a strictly voluntary basis. Vessels unable or unwilling to comply will be placed in quarantine until Canal officials are satisfied that no risk of contamination exists.

2 February 1932

In response to the invasion of the Indian Mandate of Asir by Saudi and Yemeni forces, the Foreign Office has declared the actions of the latter powers an act of “unprovoked aggression, aimed solely at furthering the personal agendas of their leaders.”

The facilities of Aden, in south-eastern Arabia, have been offered to Indian forces as basing for non-combatant units, specifically transit stations for aircraft and hospital facilities. When questioned about possible direct involvement of British forces, the Foreign Office responded that all British troops would remain within the borders of the colony.

9 February 1932

In light of the Bolivian invasion of northern Chile, the Foreign Office has expressed its’ dismay that the Bolivians felt it necessary to resort to such measures in order to resolve their grievances. The Foreign Secretary has expressed his utmost desire that the conflict can be settled swiftly and with as little loss of life as possible.

12 March 1932

The Admiralty and Air Ministry have jointly announced that the first International Fleet Review and Air Regatta is to be held at Spithead between the 12th and 19th of August this year. All nations are invited to send representative aeroplanes, airships, men of war and merchant vessels as they see fit.

This week is intended as a celebration of Man’s mastery of technology as a tool to overcome hostile elements, and of his determination to succeed. Events scheduled for the week will include sailing and rowing regattas; target shooting competitions, both for aircraft and ships; a series of aerial demonstrations by several display teams; and a number of air races, including the inaugural Race Around Britain and the Schneider Trophy races.

22 March 1932

The Canadian High Commissioner in London has been making a number of visits to the Admiralty in recent days. Both parties, when questioned, have been reluctant to reveal the subject of their discussions, but what is known is that they relate to the Royal Navy bases in Halifax and Esquimalt, whose dockyards have lately been transferred to Canadian control.

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Originally posted by RLBH

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If, as the Indians argue – and we have little reason to disbelieve them – a larger fleet, of the same order of size as that permitted the French, is required to protect their interests, then the United Kingdom sees little benefit in prohibiting the Indians from attaining that requirement. In consequence, His Majesty’s Government is willing to consider a convention of the signatory powers of the Cleito Treaty in London, or another venue, to discuss this issue.”

2 February 1932

In response to the invasion of the Indian Mandate of Asir by Saudi and Yemeni forces, the Foreign Office has declared the actions of the latter powers an act of “unprovoked aggression, aimed solely at furthering the personal agendas of their leaders.”


12 March 1932

The Admiralty and Air Ministry have jointly announced that the first International Fleet Review and Air Regatta is to be held at Spithead between the 12th and 19th of August this year. All nations are invited to send representative aeroplanes, airships, men of war and merchant vessels as they see fit.

Several Items :

The Netherlands does not see the significant overseas interests that India has. Ceylon is a mere 60 miles off shore, the Asir Mandate is scheduled to expire in two years, and there are a scattering of islands in the local sea. France has commitments spanning the globe, from Fiji to Saigon to Accra to Cayenne. The two are not comparable.

The Netherlands wishes to note that the Saudis asked for League of Nations help as of October of last year, claiming Indian aggression.

The Netherlands will attend the Regatta.

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The Admiralty and Air Ministry have jointly announced that the first International Fleet Review and Air Regatta is to be held at Spithead between the 12th and 19th of August this year. All nations are invited to send representative aeroplanes, airships, men of war and merchant vessels as they see fit.

31 March

The King of Siam has announced that he will be personally attending the International Fleet Review and Air Regatta at Spithead in England in August, as part of a series of visits to various European nations, aboard the royal yacht Maha Chakri. (ooc: because Siam doesn't have anything else big enough...) In addition, the Royal Siamese Air Force will provide one of its brand-new Harbin 31 (Dornier Do 11) bomber aircraft for display.

*****

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the Asir Mandate is scheduled to expire in two years

...perhaps the Indians know something we don't? :needagoatee-strokingsmiley:

Interesting. The Foreign Office is being surprisingly generous in regards to India's treaty allocations.

Nutbunnies, my flying contraptions won't be ready for the review I don't think. :\

The United States would be more than willing to send a delegation to the Review. Its exact composition will depend greatly on the situation in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Nordmark will endevour to send a battlecruiser and possibly an aircraft carrier. If the Carrier attends then Sopwith will send a couple of Carrier prototypes of the proposed new Sopwith Odin fighter.

The Armada de Filipinas will send the carrier Sulu (Captain Roberto Cain) with her complement of Martin BM-2 and Nakajima A2N aircraft. Escort will be provided by Destroyer Flotilla One with DD Cerceta (Capitan de Fragata Ignacio Sepulveda), DD Cigüeña (Capitan de Corbeta Alfonse Escalante) and DD Milano (Capitan de Corbeta Ricardo Cortez). They will be accompanied by fleet oiler Bambú.

Isn't Cain running a Japanese carrier in another post?

That was a couple of years ago... I assume that he's back on his old post.
Thank God!! :-)

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Originally posted by Rooijen10
That was a couple of years ago... I assume that he's back on his old post (thank god!!)

Yup, Cain came back.. leaving a trail of frightened and angry Japanese officers in his wake...

Is Yamamoto due to be returned? I promise I've treated him nice. ;p

Germany will be in attendance for the review, the naval component will be Admiral Hipper and one of the Z-class DDs, while the air component will include the Do-17V3 prototype bomber and the airship Hindenburg.

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complement of Mitsubishi 1MF9 Taka, Martin BM-2, and Nakajima A2N aircraft.

Hmm, they'd probably all be A2Ns by then (perhaps one or two 1MFs remaining as trainers/hacks) (the replacement was underway one-for-one throughout 1931).

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Originally posted by Swamphen

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complement of Mitsubishi 1MF9 Taka, Martin BM-2, and Nakajima A2N aircraft.

Hmm, they'd probably all be A2Ns by then (perhaps one or two 1MFs remaining as trainers/hacks) (the replacement was underway one-for-one throughout 1931).

I see... I was wondering why we had two types, so that makes sense. Post amended.

Argentina will attend the Review. Provisionally (heck by Aug I may be in a war or something) Patagonia and two Mendoza Class destroyers will attend along with one of the new tankers ordered in Britain last year. FMA will send the second pre-production I-100 and a couple of the I.Ae 2 and 3 monoplane trainers.

Japan's presence will depend on the "El Derretir" situation... but it is a long way until August. A lot can happen (both good and bad).

Chile will most likely send a small collection of newer vessels, assuming they are not needed for the war effort (with a land locked opponent). If this review was next year, I'd send Oyama, but since she won't be finished until January or February of 1933, she's not going. Tylor might go instead along with a pair of new cruisers and maybe a destroyer or two. I'd send the carrier, but I think she might be busy during the war, as the distance from coast to combat zone is currently under 100 miles.

I could send a dreadnought, but only one will be in servce (not counting Gideon, the pocket dreadnought), so the review will have to do with Chile's Heavy Armored Cruiser.

Actual Events

“Gently does it, man,” reprimanded the man in the white suit.

“Yes, sah,” replied the pilot of the small boat, a local to the area. “Jus’ a few minutes to we land.” He realised it wasn’t strictly true, but it didn’t do to offend the white man. He had, it was said, destroyed a village a few days down the coast. Nobody was risking that.

For his part, the trader didn’t put paid to their delusions. If it suited them to believe he had supernatural powers, so be it. He hadn’t lost a single man to the savages in years; not since razing a fishing village to the ground. Of course, he could never get away with that today, not with the Government air patrols that happened by periodically. “Humph. Doesn’t look so good over there. Your fires aren’t lit – why’s that?”

“Many of our men are ill. The animals and women, too. This…” The local faltered. “This is new. Three day back, they all be running healthy. Now, nine and seventy lie, well, they are…”

“What is it, man? Surely not as bad as that?”

“Yes, sah. It is. I not know how to say it, but they are melting. Already, my brother and three sisters gone – and that in one longhouse. I fear we all die.”

“It can’t be, old boy. Let me take a look at them, probably just a touch of influenza. Nothing a bit of brandy can’t cure.”

By high noon, the trader was in the village. In the first of the ramshackle huts he visited, the stench was appalling. There were men, women and children laid on the floor, some writhing in agony and all surrounded by pools of vomit, blood and – worst of all – their own excrement. And the flies!

Had there been a light in the hut – perhaps there once was, but nobody could keep it lit, not now – it would have added nothing to his impression: with all the insects, the trader might just as well have been in a pea-souper. But it didn’t matter, the smell, or rather the taste, told him all he needed to know. These people were dying, some perhaps already dead.

In other huts, it was the same story. One had the dead, numbering nearly a dozen, heaped up by the door; as he went in to seek out the living, he stumbled into the pile, collapsing it. As he regained his feet, he was covered from head to foot in the body fluids of dead natives, looking for all the world like one of the disciples of Lucifer.

He didn’t know it, but he was immune. That was the only way in which he was lucky. Within days, he was the only man on his ship alive, at the mercy of the sea. The others had all died, their necks and limbs swelling before they shed blood through all their orifices. At first, he – and the able-bodied crew – had given them a burial at sea, then just dumped them. Now, on his own, he couldn’t even do them that meagre honour.

It was all he could hope that he’d get to civilisation before he starved to death: there was only so much food on the ship. He had set a course – he thought – for Singapore, but if a storm hit – or his navigation was poor – then he was doomed to a death on the high seas.

Eventually, he did make it to shore, not in Singapore, but, by one of those strange quirks of fate, in Kuching, far to the east. On the thirtieth of March, the coroner had to report, Alfred Mayer died from internal haemorrhages. A trophy-winning dinghy sailor in the colony, he never knew that he was to be far more famous as the first British casualty of El Derretir.

Great little story. Sucks for all involved, though.

Indian representation at the review can not be determined at the present time, given current events. A decision will be made and communicated to the UK at the beginning of July.

With regards to the item of 15 January, India thanks the UK for commenting, but will await the completion of its own report in March before deciding whether to accept the British offer or not.

Australia will send the following:
HMAS Tiger
HMAS Auckland (CL)
HMAS Admirality Isl (DL)
4 Aclarity class DDs

HMAS Canberra*
5 "S" class DDs

and last but not least HMAS Sydney, this will be the last voyage for the veteran cruiser before her final retirment.

* Canberra will be transporting the Black Swan flight demonstartion team (Sopwith Snipes, led by Flt Officer G. Curtis) and the two prototype CAC-7 Shrike Fighters.




Mexico will send:
GB Vebustiano Carranza*
2 Sonora class PBs

Carranza will be transporting the prototype TNCA-Azcarte Tololoche II